Mountain Biome Project

What you think when you hear biome? Biome is a large area that consists of certain weather types,plants and animals. In this project we are making a mountain biome. Mountain biome is also called "alphine". Mountain biome are found in mountain regions worldwide, including the Andes, Alps, and Rocky Mountains. The alpine biome usually lies between an altitude of about 10,000 feet, and the place where the snow line of a mountain begins. Combined, the Alpine and Arctic biomes cover 16% of the earth's surface area. The Alpine biome is one of the coldest biomes in the world. It is so cold because of its high altitudes. Summer temperature range between -12 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius. The average precipitation is 30 cm a year. Alpine biomes are located on mountains where trees can't grow. There are threats, however. One of the photos below shows a ski development; in general ski slopes are a threat to mountain habitats. Airborne pollution, including acid rain, also threatens alpine areas. Global warming can be the biggest threat.


Animals:
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri, Mt. Rainier
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri, Mt. Rainier




Chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasi), Mt Rainier
Chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasi), Mt Rainier



external image gtgrouse2.jpg
Steller's jays

Chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasi), Mt Rainier
Chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasi), Mt Rainier



Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus), Glacier National Park
Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus), Glacier National Park



Hoary marmot (Marmota caligata), Glacier National Park
Hoary marmot (Marmota caligata), Glacier National Park



Clark's nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana - Mt. Rainier, Washington
Clark's nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana - Mt. Rainier, Washington




external image gtgrouse.jpg
Ruffed Grouse, Grand Teton National Park

Endangered Species:

One interesting alpine animal is the chinchilla. Chinchillas used to be hunted for their soft, beautiful fur. People used their pelts to make coats until they became nearly extinct in the 1940s. It takes over 100 pelts to make one chinchilla coat! Now they are on the endangered species list, and protected by law from hunting and people.



Plants:

Coniferous Forest, Yosemite National Park
Coniferous Forest, Yosemite National Park



Flowers, Mt. St. Helens, Washington
Flowers, Mt. St. Helens, Washington



Fir (left) and Pine (right)
Fir (left) and Pine (right)




Wildflowers, Mt. Rainier, Washington
Wildflowers, Mt. Rainier, Washington



Moss, Yellowstone National Park
Moss, Yellowstone National Park



Lichen
Lichen



Snowflower
Snowflower



flagging
flagging




Bibliography:
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/alpine.htm
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/alpine.html


Deniz Önürdeş - Defne Erpulat - Leyla Şenocak - Süha Usmen - Can Tamer
96 170 91 59 169
7B 26.01.2011